Scholarships available for those in ‘public service’

By Dana Parker-McClain

Students interested in public service will have the opportunity to receive from $2,000 to $10,000 in scholarship funds from the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute this fall.

The only catch?

They have to apply by the Oct. 1 deadline.

Each year the institute chooses five to 10 students to become Maddy “scholar-interns.”

The deciding board, made up of university faculty and state representatives from Sacramento, looks for a certain type of student.

“ We’re looking for someone who has shown a clear interest in public service,” said Melissa Michelson, Maddy advisor and professor of political science.

Although grades play a factor in the decision, Michelson said that a student’s involvement in community service and their letters of recommendation weigh more heavily.

Interns are placed in offices in Fresno, Sacramento, and Washington D.C., and have the chance to learn about government operations and the political process in general.

Amanda Whitten was chosen to be a Maddy intern last spring.

“ I interned for Senator Dean Florez here in his Fresno district office, and I actually got hired as staff after my internship ended,” she said. “It was an awesome experience.”

Although the Maddy Institute has offered the scholar-internships for the last three years, they have only received about 20 applications per year, Michelson said.

“ For students who are interested in public service, this is a really great opportunity,” she said.